Opinion: Preventable Tragedies at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center

The recent deaths in custody at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) are
deeply troubling and heart-wrenching. I recall reading an article a year ago about the MDC
investing in wrist-worn technology to monitor a high-risk inmate’s biometrics. I was hopeful this
would mark a major turnaround in reducing the numerous in-custody deaths reported over the
past several years.

 
Unfortunately, I was mistaken. 

Despite implementing a biometric monitoring system, internal resistance and operational failures
have led to the tragic and preventable deaths of at least seven individuals since April 2023, with
the most recent loss occurring in early July.

The biometric monitoring system was designed with the sole purpose of safeguarding lives by
monitoring vital signs such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature, providing
real-time alerts to staff to prevent medical emergencies. 

Having saved 16 lives across 47 agencies in the U.S. and Canada, its underutilization at MDC is
particularly devastating.

Compounding this tragedy is MDC’s failure to adopt the free upgrade to the biometric monitoring
system. By going to the company’s website, I understand that this advanced system offers
enhanced monitoring capabilities, including more sophisticated sensors, GPS tracking, longer
battery life, and real-time data analytics, further improving the ability to detect and respond to
health crises. Successful implementations of this system in other New Mexico agencies
underscore its life-saving potential.

The preventable deaths at MDC are a stark reminder of the human cost of administrative
failures. Each death represents not just a loss of life but a failure to protect vulnerable
individuals in custody, leaving families grieving and eroding community trust in the detention
center.
To address these urgent issues, MDC needs to take immediate and decisive action with:

1. Full Implementation: Ensure the biometric monitoring system is fully operational and
   utilized to its full potential.
2. Adopt the Upgrade: Implement the free upgrade to enhance monitoring capabilities and
   provide staff with the tools needed to respond to emergencies more effectively.
3. Training and Compliance: Conduct thorough training for all staff on the use of the
   biometric monitoring system and establish strict compliance protocols to ensure these
   tools are used consistently and correctly.
4. Accountability: Hold facility leadership and staff accountable for lapses in
   implementation and operational failures that have led to preventable deaths.

These steps are essential to restoring trust, improving detainee safety, and ensuring that such
preventable tragedies do not happen again. The recent deaths at MDC highlight the urgent

need for effective implementation of lifesaving technology. It is crucial that the facility takes
immediate action to protect those in its care.
In the end, these are not just numbers or statistics—these are human lives. Each individual lost
is someone’s family member, friend, or loved one. It is imperative that MDC honors their
memory by making the necessary changes to prevent further loss and ensure the safety and
dignity of all in their custody.

This article is authored by an individual with insider knowledge of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center’s operations and a strong background in public safety and technology implementation. They have chosen to remain anonymous to ensure an unbiased critique and to protect their identity.

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